Reply #1: I thought we were provoking recently

[jakeXT]

US, Filipino marines hold combat drill near South China Sea shoal disputed by Beijing, Manila

SAN ANTONIO, Philippines — More than 200 U.S. and Filipino marines staged an amphibious assault on a beach in a combat drill Sunday near a South China Sea shoal disputed by China and the Philippines.

U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Craig Timberlake said the exercise at a sprawling Philippine naval reserve in the coastal town of San Antonio in Zambales province would allow the military allies to operate jointly in a range of scenarios, including responding to disasters.

He refused to discuss whether or not the annual drill, which has been staged for 28 years, was now being held partly to address concerns by Asian countries like the Philippines over China’s growing naval power. China has expressed unhappiness in the past over such drills near disputed South China Sea regions.

The Oct. 17-28 military maneuvers involve about 2,000 Marines and 1,000 Filipino counterparts. Both sides have said the exercises were not aimed at China or any country as an imaginary target.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/us-filipino-marines-hold-combat-drill-near-south-china-sea-shoal-disputed-by-beijing-manila/2011/10/23/gIQAGhj48L_story.html